Beng Mealea Temple, Siem Reap province
Angkorian Period, Angkor Wat style, 12th Century
Sandstone, C.A.ក, Gallery D

The Bodhisattva Lokesvara statue can be identified by a seated image of Amitabha Buddha in the front of his chignon cover in a tiered conical shape of lotus bud, and surrounded by a high diadem.

This statue is sculpted in classic Hindu proportions. Seated in the Rishi yoga or hermit meditating pose (raised high on crossed legs), gentle mood and smiling face with the third eye on his forehead, similar to the god Shiva. The hair style near his temple forms an elegant point. This Lokesvara image has a slightly straight eyebrow ridge, wavy moustache and beard, short earlobes, and ornamented chest and arms. His torso appears energetic depicting nobility. He wears a large folded garment with the hem on his lap.

The quality of carving and aesthetics applied on this statue demonstrate the development of arts and evolution from Hindu to Buddhist iconography or syncretism between Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism.